1893. FLOWERS IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 419 
slender arms downward, and branches into fingers as it nears the 
water, feeling its way, as it were, to the most congenial places. 
Near it is the courida, which anchors itself in the mud in a different 
manner and has given up using props. But there at intervals up the 
trunk are large excrescences covered with aborted aerial roots which 
seem to indicate similar possibilities in this tree also. 
Other examples are continually forcing themselves on the atten- 
tion of the naturalist, all going to prove that plants are something 
more than creatures of circumstance. After making every possible 
allowance for the influence of light, heat, and moisture, there still 
remains the apparent selective power, which only seems to differ in 
degree from that possessed by animals. Without the power of 
locomotion, they yet extend their roots to great distances, feeling 
around, as it were, for congenial food, and if they fail in one direction 
try several others. Then their branches are condensed at the apex, 
or spread out from the base upwards, according to the situation, the 
same species, in different places, appearing quite distinct in shape 
and size. 
But where do we find such examples of apparent selection of 
means to particular ends as in the orchid family ? When certain 
species provide quarters for a garrison of carnivorous ants, it is easy 
to say that the insects found the bunch of aerial roots suitable for a 
habitation, and that the plant did nothing. But when we see that 
only a few orchids have developed contrivances to this end, and the 
great advantage they derive from them, we cannot but look upon 
them as designed for the purpose. In some cases they are so well 
placed as not only to defy every larva and cockroach, but even 
man himself. In our own experience, we have had to pass on and 
leave a fine plant, because we could not risk the bites of such a host 
as swarmed out at the least touch. 
Some flowers, as we know, secrete nectar for the express purpose 
of feeding the insects they attract by their colours and perfumes. 
Others attract, but provide nothing, yet the blundering insect still 
fertilises it in his search for what is not there. When boys play 
similar tricks, we call them practical jokers. Has the plant done this 
either accidentally or mechanically ? Some go so far as to provide 
traps by which insects are caught and utilised ; are these contrivances 
also due to chance? In the Coryanthes we have a marvellous collec- 
tion of means to a particular end, 7.e., the fertilisation of its flower. 
By means of its perfume and colour it attracts bees, only to give 
them a bath from which they can escape by doing its work. Ifa 
man does something of a similar kind we consider him rather clever, 
although, perhaps, not very honest. It is now generally conceded 
that animals are reasonable beings; to go a step farther, and allow 
the same to plants, is almost as necessary. It does not follow that 
because a dumb man cannot explain his thoughts that, therefore, he 
has none. When the strong man bears pain without flinching, is it 
Pye, FP) 
